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Asian American Values

Decent Essays

Rhonda L. Callaway’s article explores the idea that Western orientated human rights are not suited to Eastern Asian societies. Callaway discusses how Asian societies prefer to follow a less individualistic approach to life, instead focusing on the family and community, placing them in a position opposed to Western customs and rights. Yet, criticisms of the notion of ‘Asian Values’ are also included, one such criticism labelling it an excuse for the state to repress rights.

The initial arguments posed highlight the stark contrast between Asian and Western values, and therefore human rights. Whilst in America there is a focus on the rights of the individual, many in the east perceive this as having contributed in making America a ‘crumbling society’ (Callaway 2007), due to ‘the excesses found..brought about by capitalism’ (Callaway 2007). Another key issue is the notion that it appears as if the West is imposing their views through the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights without respect for Asian culture or values. Values like prioritizing family over materialistic goals for the …show more content…

Critics include the Dalai Lama who concurred ‘no matter what country or continent we come from, we are all…. human beings. We have…common human needs and concerns’ (Callaway 2007). The opposition to the notion of Asian values has a range of points, with many scholars recognising Asia as an area too widespread and varying in traditions and cultures for people to use ‘Asian values', which ‘ignore the diversity of the countries within Asia’ (Callaway 2007). Finally, it is necessary to recognise that although there may be cultural differences regarding human rights, alternate cultures and values should not be able to be used by the State to ‘justify repression’ (Callaway 2007) against its

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